These mating Dogbane Tiger Moths caught my attention during a walk at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge. Their pale wings stood out against the bright green vegetation.
I had been searching for frogs when this unexpected scene caught my attention.
Finding Mating Dogbane Tiger Moths
I was walking one of the refuge service roads when I spotted the pair. These roads often give me a closer look at the smaller wildlife living around the refuge.
On this walk, I was looking for frogs and scenes like my Tiny Gray Tree Frog and Dragonfly encounter. Instead, I found two moths joined together on a broad green leaf.
The moths appear to be Delicate Cycnias, also known as Dogbane Tiger Moths. Their scientific name is Cycnia tenera.
The white wings and yellow-orange borders helped with the identification. Their orange heads and dark legs also match this species.
The moths remained joined while resting on the leaf. I did not expect to find mating moths while searching for frogs, but encounters like this make these walks interesting.
Photographing the Pair and Studying Their Clicks
The green leaf gave me a clean view of both moths. Their white wings stood out well against the darker vegetation behind them.
I did not know much about Dogbane Tiger Moths when I made the photograph. Later, I learned that their interactions with bats have received considerable scientific attention.
Adult Dogbane Tiger Moths can produce ultrasonic clicks when bats approach. Researchers have studied whether those clicks warn bats that the moths are distasteful, interfere with echolocation, or provide both benefits.
A scientific study of antibat ultrasound in moths describes the clicks of this species mainly as warning signals. The researchers also note that the moths may have a limited ability to interfere with echolocation.
That distinction matters. Warning bats and disrupting their sonar do not have to be completely separate functions.
An Unexpected Find Along the Service Road
I started this walk focused on frogs. These moths reminded me to keep watching everything around me.
Small insects can be easy to overlook, even when they display fascinating behavior in plain sight. This mating pair gave me both a photograph and a reason to learn about an unusual defense against bats.
That is one reason I enjoy walking the service roads at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge. I never know what will appear next.
You are a great photographer and a wonderful person that shares the wonderful photos with those of us that would not see the glorious creations of God! Thank you so much for sharing your gifts from God!!!!! I have always loved you and considered you a fabulous law enforcement man that is considered a Hero to me!!!!
Thank you my friend!